[PittsburghPatty]

Jay:
I just got off the phone with Yale’s adult joint reconstruction department and was informed that none of their surgeons are using robotic assisted surgeries at the moment but may in the future.

I’m sure Yale New Haven is excellent in many specialties, including joint reconstruction, but I’m leaning toward choosing a provider hospital that offers this cutting edge technology.

I scheduled an evaluation here at UPMC with the surgeon who is using robotic assisted knee replacement.(UPMC Shadyside is nationally ranked). I was happy to hear he did the knee replacement on my prior surgeon who retired. This surgeon worked under my prior dr. for some time and was the surgeon my prior doctor referred patients to when he left. Since my previous surgeon was highly regarded here, I really have to respect his own choice of a surgeon for his own knee replacement. What better recommendation is that?

If this surgeon doesn’t work out, then I’ll look at Cleveland Clinic (which is in-network for me and within driving distance) or schedule an evaluation at HSS.

Thanks for your help, Jay!

[PittsburghPatty]

You’re right—UPMC ortho doctors are excellent. I was hoping to leave here sooner rather than later, but perhaps the best option is right in my own backyard.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by PittsburghPatty

Jay:
I just got off the phone with Yale’s adult joint reconstruction department and was informed that none of their surgeons are using robotic assisted surgeries at the moment but may in the future.

I’m sure Yale New Haven is excellent in many specialties, including joint reconstruction, but I’m leaning toward choosing a provider hospital that offers this cutting edge technology.

I scheduled an evaluation here at UPMC with the surgeon who is using robotic assisted knee replacement.(UPMC Shadyside is nationally ranked). I was happy to hear he did the knee replacement on my prior surgeon who retired. This surgeon worked under my prior dr. for some time and was the surgeon my prior doctor referred patients to when he left. Since my previous surgeon was highly regarded here, I really have to respect his own choice of a surgeon for his own knee replacement. What better recommendation is that?

If this surgeon doesn’t work out, then I’ll look at Cleveland Clinic (which is in-network for me and within driving distance) or schedule an evaluation at HSS.

Thanks for your help, Jay!

That’s your decision but I would not let “cutting edge” technology use override reputation. UPMC May be a good hospital but it’s not nationally ranked like Yale New Haven is. Cleveland Clinic however is the No. 2 hospital in the country. It ranks No. 9 for Orthopedics. That’s impressive. Good luck with your decision and your surgery. Jay

[PittsburghPatty]

Thanks, Jay.
You're right about Cleveland Clinic and that's been one of my top choices--mainly because of the rankings you mentioned and proximity to Pittsburgh and it is "in-network" for me.

I called the department and a group of their surgeons have been doing robotic assisted knee replacement since 2016 (UPMC only since 2020 and just one surgeon does them).
The head of their joint replacement division has the most experience with them at Cleveland Clinic. His team is highly thought of and he has published numerous articles on this procedure.
I think I will make an appointment with him as well as the UPMC doctor and then decide.

I've been to Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion for my breast cancer treatment and its very impressive. Although I ended up getting treatment at UPMC at the time--this surgery might be best done there. Plus Cleveland Clinic has extended stay facilities for patients and patient families so I could potentially stay there for short term PT, nursing support, food service, etc. since I live on my own. It's an interesting option.

Thanks, again!

[JGBigGreen]

UPMC is ranked nationally in 19 adult specialties. Yale New Haven is ranked nationally in 9 adult specialties the last I knew. Of relevance to this thread, UPMC is ranked 19 in orthopedics while Yale is 50. UPMC has a solid reputation.

Originally Posted by JayCT

That’s your decision but I would not let “cutting edge” technology use override reputation. UPMC May be a good hospital but it’s not nationally ranked like Yale New Haven is. Cleveland Clinic however is the No. 2 hospital in the country. It ranks No. 9 for Orthopedics. That’s impressive. Good luck with your decision and your surgery. Jay

[beer belly]

Had mine done December 7th, if it weren't for my Back issue holding back my PT, I'd be doing much better. I had mine done at the surgical center that my Surgeon works out of in Danbury. I did have the option of the Hospital, didn't see the need for all that. Best of luck on your surgery and quick recovery.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

UPMC is ranked nationally in 19 adult specialties. Yale New Haven is ranked nationally in 9 adult specialties the last I knew. Of relevance to this thread, UPMC is ranked 19 in orthopedics while Yale is 50. UPMC has a solid reputation.

I never said UPMC does not have a solid reputation but it is not on the current US News Honor Roll. Neither is Yale but it was on it last year. There are only 16 adult specialities in US News & World Report’s ranking. UPMC Presbyterian, their flagship hospital is ranked highly in 11 of them. Yale ranked highly in 9. That’s still very impressive. Jay

https://health.usnews.com/health-car...l-and-overview

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospi...center-6230029

[JGBigGreen]

You are correct, I was typing from my phone and put 19 instead of 11. You didn’t say UPMC doesn’t have a good reputation but you said “UPMC May be a good hospital but it’s not nationally ranked like Yale New Haven is.” As you stated yourself it is ranked nationally in many specialties. Also it is not currently on the Honor Roll but was for at least 15 years. And it is very well known for orthopedics.

Originally Posted by JayCT

I never said UPMC does not have a solid reputation but it is not on the current US News Honor Roll. Neither is Yale but it was on it last year. There are only 16 adult specialities in US News & World Report’s ranking. UPMC Presbyterian, their flagship hospital is ranked highly in 11 of them. Yale ranked highly in 9. That’s still very impressive. Jay

https://health.usnews.com/health-car...l-and-overview

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospi...center-6230029

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

You are correct, I was typing from my phone and put 19 instead of 11. You didn’t say UPMC doesn’t have a good reputation but you said “UPMC May be a good hospital but it’s not nationally ranked like Yale New Haven is.” As you stated yourself it is ranked nationally in many specialties. Also it is not currently on the Honor Roll but was for at least 15 years. And it is very well known for orthopedics.

My bad for originally confusing the terms used. UPMC is nationally ranked in 11 areas but s not on the Honor Roll this year. I do not know how many times it’s been on it. I just know that Yale New Haven was on the Honor Roll last year. Either way that is impressive enough to make me consider it for procedures the OP is considering. Jay